THE BEHAVIOR OF THE MICROALGAE TETRASELMIS-CHUII IN CADMIUM-CONTAMINATED SOLUTIONS

The accumulation of cadmium by living and dead cells of the green micr oalgae Tetraselmis chuii was studied both in cell suspensions and in g rowing conditions. Microalgal cell suspensions accumulated a maximum o f 292.60 (23.09) and 210.54 (16.05) mg Cd (g biomass)(-1) when living and dried cells were used, respectively. After biosorption, the total cadmium accumulated was efficiently desorbed with concentrated EDTA so lution, indicating that cadmium accumulation took place through surfac e structural components. During cell growth in cadmium-contaminated me dium, the toxic effect of the metal proved to be higher for increasing metal concentrations in the medium. This increasing toxicity had a ma rked influence upon cell productivity. Cadmium was not incorporated du ring growth of T. chuii cells.